Effects of simultaneous infusions of glucagon and cyclic AMP on glomerular filtration rate in the dog

Abstract

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the renal vasodilator properties of glucagon are mediated by the intracellular release of cyclic AMP. In eight normal dogs, we tested the effect on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of intravenous glucagon (5 μg/min), after having administered cyclic AMP (1.6 mg/min) into the left renal artery. GFR for both the right and left kidneys increased by 38% (p < 0.05), compared with an increment of 29% when glucagon alone had previously been administered. Similar studies were carried out in five dogs with steady-state hemorrhagic hypotension (arterial blood pressure = 75 mmHg). In this group as well, the prior infusion of cyclic AMP did not blunt or abolish the tendency of glucagon to promote renal perfusion or increase GFR. When cyclic AMP was administered alone, GFR and the clearance of p-aminohippurate usually declined by about 20% (p < 0.05). In six dogs, glucagon was administered intravenously at 5 μg/min prior to the infusion of cyclic AMP (1.6 mg/min) into the left renal artery. For this kidney, the anticipated decline in renal perfusion occurred. The prior administration of theophylline into the left renal artery did not prevent an intravenous infusion of glucagon from elevating GFR. These experiments indicate that the prior flooding of the microvasculature with either cyclic AMP or glucagon does not prevent the pharmacological effects of each of these substances. The renal hemodynamic effects of glucagon in normal and hypotensive dogs does not appear to depend on the release of cyclic AMP.